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In general, it is extremely dangerous for anyone who leaves Islam to publicly confess that fact. But at present, we have the ISAF troops here. So I don't think Afghan Muslims would publicly execute anyone who converted.

The government of Afghanistan is currently working on a new constitution, though none of us has yet seen it. We are praying much and we have contacted a number of government officials in the West, urging them to use their influence.

In this new constitution in Afghanistan, we would like to see Christians being respected as a religious minority. In the old constitution, only the Jews, Hindus, and Sikhs are mentioned as a minority. If an Afghan were asked whether there are Afghan Christians in his nation, he would always firmly deny it. Afghans know now that many Afghans have become Christians. If they should mention them as a protected minority in the new constitution, it would be a very important step toward religious freedom. Such inclusion would not erase religious persecution. Afghans would still face a lot of dangers for leaving their faith, but at least there would be official acknowledgment of Afghan Christians, who could then claim their rights.

What about the situation outside of Kabul? It is true that there is more lawlessness and violence, especially in areas that are chiefly Pashtun. Many former Taliban returned to their villages and are now rising up again against the present government. In a number of areas there is fighting, especially with the American and Afghan government forces. There have been a number of attacks against foreign NGOs. On March 27, Taliban extremists in Orzugan attacked and killed an expatriate worker for the International Red Cross as he was traveling through the region.

But in general, more freedom has come to all these areas since the Taliban's fall. I lived and worked here when people were living in constant fear and tremendous oppression, especially women. Now one sees schools opening for girls in many areas, more freedom of expression, one can hear music again, listen to the radio and watch television.

In some areas former warlords have remained in power and there are still changes that need to be made. But if we are patient, we will see more and more changes here. Basically, everything has been destroyed and no infrastructure remains. Government ministries have not been functioning, but many NGOs are working systematically on rebuilding those institutions. A new police force and army are being trained and, at every level of government, there is assistance from many different nations.

When you travel through Kabul City, you will see girls on the streets and women walking around going about their work again. Order has returned in almost every sphere of life. There is an incredible change that has taken place in this last year. When the Taliban ruled, the oppression was so bad the people were nearly hopeless.

Over many years, I have seen Afghans sell their property and leave, either during the communist rule, the Mujahidin period, or the final years of the Taliban. Many Afghans had lost every hope that their situation would change. The removal of the wicked and absolutely oppressive Taliban has brought about the major changes we see now in Afghanistan. Many Americans and others made deep sacrifices to remove this terrible regime. We are grateful.

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April (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47